On Memorial Day, honor those who laid down their lives for us

Honor our soldiers

On Monday, we honor all of our fellow Americans who laid down their lives so all the rest of us could live in a land of freedom. From the first shots at Lexington and Concord and the last, in Afghanistan, these unselfish courageous Americans served their country for their countrymen.

They came from everywhere, big cities, small towns, farms, mountains, our shorelines. They were regular Americans who gave their last measure of devotion for all of us — people they’d never know.

It has been said, “America without her soldiers would be like God without his angels.” We have laid to rest thousands of these angels all over the world. Let us remember all of them today.

Kirk Polizzi, Wilmington

Assault weapons

As a former competitive shooter, lifelong hunter and 24-year Marine Corps officer, I’ve fired nearly every weapon one can imagine, from flame throwers to howitzers and everything in between. I own about a dozen rifles, pistols and shotguns. But there is no reason why any citizen should own an assault weapon. They’re not designed for target shooting or hunting. Those weapons and their high capacity magazines are only designed to kill people.

Robert D. Brown, Cary

Not just about guns

I have been involved in the shooting sports for over 50 years. The tragedy in Texas is gut wrenching. There are a couple of common sense things that could and should be done, with no infringement on our Second Amendment rights.

In this age of technology, there is no excuse for not having a reliable universal and instant background check. Also, gun ownership should be subject to qualifications similar to N.C. concealed carry permits, with classroom and live-fire range components.

While these measures are appropriate, of far greater importance are issues of mental health evaluations and early intervention when threatening behavior is observed. If we see something, we should do something. We can’t expect legislation to replace family and friends.

Ed Holloway, Raleigh

Ban these guns

I am so tired of hearing about better background checks. As if the problem with gun violence is who has access to guns. No! The problem is the availability of guns. Banning all semi-automatic weapons (except in the military) will not interfere with anyone’s Second Amendment rights. It will not make it more difficult for people to defend themselves or their families. It will absolutely reduce the prevalence of these horrid mass shootings of innocents across our country. Let’s unite behind this simple demand of our state and federal elected officials: Ban semiautomatic weapons. All of them. Now.

Sondra Stein, Durham

Raise the age

I sell guns almost daily in my job as a pawn sales associate. I own several handguns. When I was 18 people my age could buy beer and wine legally. That changed after drunk driving deaths rose. The age went up to 21.

Today, I can’t sell a handgun to an 18-year-old but I can sell a high-powered rifle to an 18-year-old. This makes no sense. I believe all guns, rifles and handguns should only be sold to people 21 or older. People’s gun rights would not be taken away, but selling guns to people who are mature enough to have one would lead to a decrease in gun deaths.

Jean Jones, Wilmington

Don’t pass this bill

Regarding “NC Republicans push ban on teaching LGBTQ issues, plus other rules for schools,” (May 26):

I ask N.C. lawmakers to reject House Bill 755, which could force counselors to disclose information about students to parents.

Often, students share private information about their family for which they need outside perspective. Forcing disclosure poses health and security risks to children. It could also “out” gay students to parents who sometimes reject their orientation. LGBTQ youth have disproportionately high rates of suicide, often due to family rejection.

Whether Republicans like it or not, LGBTQ people exist in society and always have in every society. Do we want to be like Iran, denying their existence? Or do we want to increase the diversity of our republic, allowing a broader scope of humanity the freedom and safety to live as they are?

Do not endanger our children. Do not inhibit their self-actualization. Do not violate their right to privacy. Do not vote for HB 755.

James Carli, Brevard

Wake schools

Regarding “We’re ignoring a major culprit behind teen mental health crisis,” (May 23 Opinion):

As this op-ed remind us, adolescent sleep deprivation is a public health crisis easily remedied by starting school later.

My son attends Ligon Middle School, which starts class at 7:35 a.m. Wake County’s decision to begin classes at some schools prior to 8 a.m. isn’t merely an affront to common sense and the family lives of students and staff, it reflects a callous, shameful disregard for our children’s health.

Parents should no longer accept obscenely early school start times as an inconvenient feature of attending Wake public schools. We owe it to our children to demand that WCPSS establish reasonable school schedules. A good start would be for the board to pledge not to start classes at any school before 8 a.m. next year.

Nicholas Woomer-Deters, Raleigh

This story was originally published May 27, 2022 at 11:40 AM with the headline "On Memorial Day, honor those who laid down their lives for us."